A practising solicitor since 1976, Ms McTaggart is one of the best-known family law specialists in Aberdeen, having spent her entire working life in the city.

She joined the Balfour and Manson family law team as a partner just over two years ago following the closure of McIntosh McTaggart, a specialist family law practice.

A graduate of the University of Aberdeen and accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a family law specialist and solicitor mediator, Ms McTaggart earned a formidable reputation advising on all aspects of family and child-care law in the sheriff courts. She was also chair of the Family Law Association in Scotland and helped to establish the family law mediation services CALM Scotland and Consensus Collaboration Scotland.

Originally a general litigation solicitor, she moved into family law practice when she worked at Stronachs in the late 1980s, before leaving to form McIntosh McTaggart in 2003.

Elaine Motion, executive chairman of Balfour and Manson, said: “Anne’s reputation as a Family Law specialist made her one of the most respected and recognisable figures in Aberdeen law circles. She has achieved so much during a long, distinguished career and her passion for the law, in often very complex cases, underpinned her vast knowledge in what can be often complex and distressing situations for her clients.

“Everyone at Balfour and Manson wishes Anne well on her retirement. She has been a font of knowledge to so many of us and the family law team in Aberdeen have been extremely fortunate to have worked with a titan of our profession.”

Ms McTaggart commented: “A lot has changed in family law over the years, but I’ve always remembered that clients contact us in what can be one of the most difficult and distressing times of their lives.

“The legacy I leave behind at Balfour and Manson reflects on being part of a family law team that really raised the bar in its approach to helping solve some very challenging cases.

“The team is brimming with talent and will only grow from strength to strength.”